Epstein Links Threaten Norway’s Global Image
Foreign Policy
by Elisabeth BrawFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Norway’s global reputation for probity and integrity has been severely tarnished following revelations of connections between prominent Norwegians and Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon and set to become queen, exchanged cringeworthy and flirtatious messages with Epstein from 2012 onward. These exchanges, which included jocular remarks about adultery and boredom, were discovered in Epstein’s leaked files and have caused widespread embarrassment for the Norwegian royal family and government.
Mette-Marit’s correspondence with Epstein is particularly damaging because she sent unflattering observations about official engagements, including a wedding attended by Luxembourg’s heir to the throne. Her messages revealed a casual and dismissive attitude toward events she was involved in as a senior royal figure. Additionally, other high-profile Norwegians, such as former Foreign Minister Borge Brende and Terje Rod-Larsen, a former diplomat and president of the International Peace Institute, also maintained ties with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution and trafficking minors.
The fallout from these connections has dealt a significant blow to Norway’s international standing. As a nation known for its neutrality and moral authority on the global stage, Norway had long leveraged its reputation for probity in diplomatic efforts. However, the revelations about prominent Norwegians’ links to Epstein have called this image into question. Critics argue that Norway’s ability to mediate conflicts and lead international initiatives could be compromised as a result.
This scandal also raises concerns about the influence of powerful individuals with questionable ethics on global affairs. The fact that figures like Brende, who served as president of the World Economic Forum, and Rod-Larsen, a former diplomat involved in key peace negotiations, were connected to Epstein highlights the broader risks of unchecked elite networks. For readers interested in politics, this story underscores the importance of ethical scrutiny in international diplomacy and the long-reaching consequences of personal misconduct on national reputations.
Ultimately, Norway’s struggle to restore its global image will require more than just apologies or internal investigations. The country must address the erosion of trust among international partners and demonstrate a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability in its diplomatic corps. The Epstein scandal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked influence and the enduring impact of moral lapses on a nation’s standing in the world.
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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/20/2026